About the Language of Flowers

Floriography, or the language of flowers, is a means of cryptological communication through the use or arrangement of flowers. Dating back to the Victorian era, this practice allowed people to express feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.

Queen Victoria popularized tussie mussies. Image from the Royal Collection Trust

Cultural Significance

The language of flowers varies across different cultures and time periods. In Victorian England, elaborate flower dictionaries were published, allowing people to create bouquets that conveyed specific messages.

Data

This data was taken from the Farmer's Almanac, and generally corresponds to the English-speaking Victorian understanding of 'floriography', or the secret meanings of flowers. Messages could be transmitted by sending just the right combination of flowers in a bouquet or 'tussie mussie'. Note, there are many of these types of lists; the canonical one was the French book, "Le Langage des Fleurs" by "Madame Charlotte de la Tour", written in 1809. This book was translated and reinnterpreted several times in the Victorian era, triggering a fashion for these meaningful bouquets. Source

Creating Meaningful Bouquets

When creating a bouquet using the language of flowers, consider not only the meaning of each individual flower but also how they complement each other. A thoughtfully composed arrangement can tell a story or express complex emotions. The color of a given flower, like a rose, carnation, or tulip, can change its meaning.

Modern Interpretations

Today, while we may not rely on flowers to communicate secret messages, understanding the traditional meanings can add depth and thoughtfulness to gift-giving and special occasions. Our bouquet creator helps you craft arrangements with intention and meaning and send them as e-cards. It's a great gift for a birthday or Mother's Day, or really any occasion. You could also use this generator to create a meaningful bouquet using real flowers.